South America
Peru
Cusco Region
Cusco
Things to Do in Cusco
Sacsayhuaman
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Sacsayhuaman

See all things to do
See all things to do
Sacsayhuaman
4.5
14,858 reviews
#2 of 196 things to do in Cusco
Historic Sites • Ancient Ruins
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7:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 5:30 PM
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Suggested duration
More than 3 hours
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Admission tickets
from $117.95
All you need to step foot in the door.
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The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
1,069 within 3 miles
Chia Vegan Restaurant
1,349
0.3 mi$ • Pizza • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly
Native Restaurant
268
0.3 miPeruvian • Fast Food • Contemporary • South American
La Huerta Del Tata
159
0.3 mi$ • Peruvian • Latin • Contemporary
Kusikuy
1,165
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Peruvian • Latin • South American
La Cantina Vino Italiano
391
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Wine Bar
Yunkas Peruvian Organic Food
82
0.3 miPeruvian • Fusion • South American
Indigo Bar Restaurant
1,066
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Peruvian • Bar • Thai
Hankay
218
0.3 mi$ • Peruvian • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Andean Grill Restaurant
1,797
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Peruvian • Latin • Vegetarian Friendly
Republica Del Pisco
2,896
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Peruvian • Latin • Bar
See all
Attractions
164 within 6 miles
Statue of Christ
708
344 ftMonuments & Statues
Centro Historico De Cusco
14,157
0.4 miAncient Ruins • Architectural Buildings
Sacred Valley of the Incas
2,360
0.4 miHistoric Sites • Ancient Ruins
Winay Wayna
351
0.4 miAncient Ruins
San Cristobal Church
201
0.3 miChurches & Cathedrals
Planetarium Cusco
780
0.4 miSpeciality Museums
Manu Wonderland Day Tours
73
0.3 miAmusement & Theme Parks
Museo de Arte Precolombino
835
0.4 miSpeciality Museums • Art Museums
Plaza de Armas
9,951
0.4 miHistoric Sites
Mirador de San Cristobal
16
0.2 miLookouts
See all
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
14,858 reviews
Excellent
10,101
Very good
3,963
Average
703
Poor
65
Terrible
26
trfcnte
Redondo Beach, CA290 contributions
Great Inca stadium.
Oct 2022
A great place to appreciate Inca stone-fitting work. You can access the multiple tiers of the great stone wall. Great for selfies. The temperature drops quickly after sundown, and it can rain unexpectedly. Bring a wind breaker, and buy a Peruvian snoopy hat (chuyo).
Written October 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Gilberto Garces
Lima, Peru55 contributions
Amazing view
Jan 2020 • Family
This is the place where Inti Raimy takes place every June 24th.
The place is pacefull and you can go there taking a CityTour that long 4 hours and take you to 4 places for S/ 20. In the first stop, you can buy the ticket for 4 places or full ticket for 16 places that expires in 10 days.

A must stop when visiting Cusco
Written January 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Zemin H
Atlanta, GA199 contributions
Incredible walls
May 2019 • Couples
Saqsaywanman is an unfinished Inca holy site. Its pronunciation is close to Sexy Woman. I didn't do my homework in advance, when m wife told me the name, I really thought it was a Sexy Woman. At the entrance, a native Indian corrected my pronunciation, saying there was no Sexy Woman here, then I realized I should show respect to the holy places of others. According to the design of Inca Emperor, Cusco's shape was a leopard. Saqsaywanman was at the head position of the leopard pupa with an altitude of 3701 meters. The building started at 1438 and was incomplete by 1527 through three Inca kings, it ended at invasion to Spain. Like all Inca buildings, the precise hinge joints between the huge stones and the design of inner angled walls allow the site to survive the devastating earthquake in Cusco.

We initially decided to visit it by ourselves, but we found it's difficult to understand these huge stones without explanation from tour guide. So we hired one onsite, english tour guides are very popular, hire one when you see him, price is very reasonable, I forgot exact rate.
Written March 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Wendy K
6 contributions
Impressive piles of huge stones
Jul 2022
Impressive piles of huge stones unless you come with a guide or a tour. Plaques in the historic park only state the name of the location/exhibit in Quechua, without anything relevant interpretive narrative to aid appreciation of its historic and cultural significance. I didn't even see a map of the park near the ticket offices/entrances. So self guided visitors can only follow the arrows to finish the tour. You must buy a partial (combo) tourist ticket for 4 historical sites, size a ticket for Saqsaywamam alone isn't available. But at the end of the self-guided tour, there is no signs pointing you to the next attraction included on the ticket. We had to ask at the ticket office since we didn't have a taxi waiting to take us there.
Written July 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Katie M
Elland, UK41 contributions
Don't waste your time
Nov 2022 • Couples
Seriously...don't waste your money on this site, it's as boring as they come. I'm a history and culture buff so was always going to visit, but boy do I regret it.

First off, it's either a long steep slog to get up there from Cusco center or you hail a taxis and they try to rip you off. Once there there are no signs or maps to signpost where to go, you just follow everyone else who seem to be also looking for some form of sign. There is zero information available at the site about what it once was or the history etc; I find this baffling given the apparent cultural significance of this site.

Most of the paths are also closed off so you can only wander so far and only see so much. It is just so hopelessly dull that it's a wonder people actually go. But of course if you want to be harangued to buy tat or have llama pictures taken then this might be the place for you...despite big signs saying No Vendors Allowed. The only highlight was the herd of alpacas wandering about!

Take my advice, save yourself the 70 sol entrance fee and go spend it in the Plaza de Armas on cerveza and jewellery; much more fun and memorable.
Written November 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
JDunsy
Halifax, Canada19 contributions
Great side trip in Cusco
Jan 2020 • Solo
Walked (or hiked) from Plaza de Armas this morning, left around 0745 and it was perfect with no crowds! I really do recommend walking up but I have nothing to compare to. If you do walk, go past the Catedral del Cuzco (on the street just to the right), the benefit is you will walk right past the 12 Sided Stone or Piedra de los 12 angulos. Turn left on Pumacurco and keep going until you hit the back entrance to Sacsayhuaman. To get there you will walk a ton of stairs and being from Canada the altitude was no joke, but take breaks at you will make it. Make sure you continue up Pumacurco, you will want to turn left early as it looks like at the top you walk into an alleyway, but dont, I turned on my way up and had to walk on the main road with no sidewalks. Once at the back entrance continue up the path beside the main building (you will know you are there when you see the huge purple sign), this is not where you buy your ticket, you need to continue up to the back gate (also where the tourist vans wait for the groups) of the park, there you can buy the tourist ticket or a one day pass to 5 sites for 70 Soles. The back gate is a bit different and I think I did the ruins in reverse, you could opt to walk across the field to the front entrance, hire a guide and do it the right way. Which ever way you choose to see the ruins you won't be disappointed!! Remember, the walk up is no joke but with breaks it is way more satisfying than driving!
Written January 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Rafal W
Skoki, Poland1,395 contributions
On Inca trail
Feb 2020
I found myself in Cuzco one cloudy afternoon, after long journey (nearly three days of being on road) via London, Madrid and Lima. First things first, so before I went to take a look at famous Inca fortress I'd sorted out accommodation and transport for the next day. The fortress itself is located to the north of Cuzco's old town, about 20-30 minutes on foot from Plaza de Armas. The ascent to the site was quite steep and slippery. In ticket booth one can buy a ticket for Saqsaywaman only ( entrance to the site costs 70 soles which is around £23) or purchase collective ticket for Sacsayhuaman and another fifteen places (archaeological sites and museums in and around Cusco) in Sacred Valley, which is valid for ten or more days (depends on for how long one wanna stay in that area). This one cost 130 soles. I chose the latter option. Sacsayhuaman is quite big area including fortress itself with its three terrace walls , Rodadero Hill, and some other remains and ruins that can be found beyond the hill. Although Sacsayhuaman is called Inca Fortress it wasn't built entirely by Incas. The oldest, monumental parts of the complex were already there when Inca arrived to the plateau about 13th century. This oldest parts were dated by archaeologists to about 900 AD and connected to the Killke culture, which flourished in area around the Cuzco between 900 and 1200 AD . Inca simply expanded of what they found already in place. Citadel itself was probably built around 1100. Over two hundred years before Incas. Remains of temples beyond the hill are even older. The Incas kept the fortress in their hands for over two hundred years, expanding their empire in all directions, but mostly to the north and the south of the continent. Arrival of Spanish conquistadors under Francisco Pizarro in first half of 16th century put an end to the Inca empire. Sacsayhuaman fell and was used as a quarry until 20th century. While visiting citadel is good to have some rain jacket with, as the weather in the mountains can be tricky. Also, there's no toilets or any other amenities, therefore don't forget to take a water with you, it can be very hot there. There's a beautiful view of Cuzco from the Pukamuku peak with Cristo Blanco statue on, which is located to the east of the citadel. There are information boards all around the place so it is easy to find all those attractions.
Written March 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ammu610
Helsinki, Finland93 contributions
There were some 14-16 year olds performing their rites of passage
Sep 2022
The site in itself was quite amazing. Unfortunately not complete. The Incas had wanted to make a puma’s head, but never got to complete it. How did they manage to move these huge stones and fit them so perfectly
We were lucky that there was the young men’s rites of passage at that time. Lots of music
Written October 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
betteskid
Boston, MA1,167 contributions
Amazing Incan ruins above Cusco
Oct 2022
We visited this site during our visit to Cusco and were really amazed at the vast nature of the ruins. The place seemed to just be so vast. It gave some real insights into the Incan civilization and because it is situated high above the city, there are amazing views as well. This is a great place to spend some time. I would recommend going here when you are in Cusco.
Written December 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jules14U
Greater Sydney, Australia6 contributions
Sightseeing open top bus tour around Cusco and up to Sacsayhuaman
Aug 2022
Very cheap sight seeing bus tour over a 2 hour period. We saw all the main buildings and areas around the historical centre and then went up to Sacsayhuaman Park to see over the whole city. We participated in an Incan ritual, saw alpacas and visited a textile shop. We also got the opportunity to take photos of the white christ on top on the mountain. All of this for 25 Sol!!
Written August 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Sacsayhuaman, Cusco

Frequently Asked Questions about Sacsayhuaman
Sacsayhuaman is open:
  • Sun - Sat 7:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
Sacsayhuaman admission prices can vary. Entrance tickets currently cost $117.95, while a popular guided tour starts around $12.00 per person. See all 271 Sacsayhuaman tickets and tours on Tripadvisor
Sacsayhuaman can be crowded, so we recommend booking e-tickets ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund. See all 271 Sacsayhuaman tickets and tours on Tripadvisor